Baby Center News & Features

Squeezing the last drops of blood from the umbilical cord has been touted to help preterm babies get more of the nutrients they need, but it may be dangerous, a new study finds.

Vaginal delivery and breastfeeding lessen the number of new allergy and asthma cases in children up to the age of 18 years, according to new research.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents not let a baby sleep in rockers, pillows, car seats or any other product that holds an infant at an incline—with their head higher than their feet.

There is a risk of dilution, or contamination with viruses or bacteria, particularly with donor milk obtained online, explained Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter, who chairs the AAP's Section on Breastfeeding.

The study of more than 2.5 million children found that more than half of those born prematurely had no major medical concerns in adulthood.

Less than one-third said they only put their babies to sleep on "approved" surfaces, namely, a crib, bassinet or "pack and play." And just 42% kept their babies' sleep area free of blankets, pillows and toys.

The study found that human breast milk inhibits the growth of the harmful bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium perfringens, but neither cow's milk or infant formula had any effect on those bacteria.

Child health experts say overusing baby food pouches could potentially breed poor eating habits and stunt development of feeding skills and motor coordination at a critical stage of life.

In general, the review found, black preterm infants were most vulnerable: Hospitals with a high percentage of black preemies typically had lower-quality care and fewer nurses, versus those with a smaller percentage of black patients.

The birth of twins or triplets can be joyful but overwhelming. A medical doctor and mother of twins offers advice on navigating the first few months.

Metal pieces were found in one lot of this product, which includes at least 23,388 containers.

The results suggest that using early, limited formula may not have a negative impact on infants, but it may change the mom’s attitudes toward breastfeeding, the study’s first author said.

A new type of baby monitor checks sleeping children’s vital signs. But a pediatricians group says it found no evidence they help prevent SIDS in healthy babies, and a study says the monitors are often inaccurate.

According to CDC data, more than half of all babies born at 23 weeks do not survive

In the study, researchers assessed heart and blood vessel health in postmenopausal women, along with their breastfeeding history.

All pregnant women and new mothers should be assessed for heart disease, according to new guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Among nearly 14,200 newborns studied, 8 had genitals that did not make their gender clear. That's a rate of 1.3 in 1,000 births -- much higher than the one in 4,500 to 5,500 reported in previous studies.

A recent study says about 2,000 babies visit emergency rooms each year with walker-related injuries; an injury research expert warns about their dangers.

Rates of major birth defects were similar for children of deployed and non-deployed veterans. And there was no difference in major birth defects among children whose mothers were or weren't deployed.

Surgical site infections occurred in 0.75% of the deliveries covered by Medicaid and 0.63% of those covered by private insurance. In other words, women covered by Medicaid had a 1.4-fold higher risk, the researchers reported.

Shots can be a major cause of stress for babies and their parents, but a four-step pain-relief routine can ease Baby’s discomfort.

In yet another finding that points out the positives of breastfeeding, scientists report that beneficial fungi and yeasts reside in breast milk.

Among more than 700 infants in seven countries, the researchers didn't find any measurable neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems up to the age of 5.

Researchers found that breast milk from women who pumped tended to have more potentially bad bacteria than milk from women who fed their infants only from the breast.

While previous research linked heat exposure among pregnant women to heart defects in their newborns, the causes remain unclear.